DPD

 

Director’s Rule 25-96

Applicant:
City of Seattle Department of Construction and Land Use
Page: N/A Supersedes: N/A
Subject: Lot Area Definition Publication: 4/4/96 Effective: 5/1/96
Ordinance Authority:
3.060.040 SMC
Code and Section Reference:
SMC 23.84.024
Index:
Land Use Code Technical
Type of Rule:
Code Interpretation

Introduction

The Land Use Code (SMC 23.84. 024) defines "Lot Area" as follows:

"Lot area" means the total area of the horizontal plane within the lot lines of a lot.

Rule

When a lot has been surveyed by a State of Washington licensed land surveyor, and the surveyed lot lines are shorter by 0.4% (four-tenths of a percent) or less than the dimensions on the recorded plat, the dimensions shown on the recorded plat may, at the option of the applicant, be used to determine the lot area, for the purposes of Land Use Code development standards.

Reason

New computerized survey instruments can now provide much more accurate measurements than the technology available in the past. When a lot has been platted and recorded, and buyers and sellers have relied on the recorded information in their financial transactions, it is reasonable to continue to rely on those measurements, even if a new survey provides more accurate information that shows the lot line is actually shorter by a fractional amount. Allowing an error factor of 0.4% (.004) or less protects buyers who have relied upon Assessor’s records, while requiring that greater errors be recognized.